In 1987 a complete drop of polled ewes from the KJ & KM Burbidge flock at Burnafahes, Bigga, NSW was used as the foundation for the Connemara flock.

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The Connemara Merino flock is now based on genetics from the top finewool sires in the MerinoSelect database. Sires are selected principally for low fibre diameter, high clean fleece weight with a small amount of emphasis on staple strength and worm egg count. A custom index for Connemara has been developed. ​

 

There is a preference for polled genetics.

 

A ram breeding nucleus of 500 ewes is DNA tested to determine parentage of progeny and  all progeny are DNA tested to increase accuracy of ASBV’s and selection.

 

Rams are produced primarily for use within the Burbidge Farms flocks.  Some rams are sold to a small number of clients, although this is not our core business.  We do sell semen.

 

The Connemara flock is the first flock in Australia to have genomnic breeding values for Breech and Body strike. This occurred through intensive observation of untreated  lambs in the ram breeding nucleus flock since 2017 to collect thousands of phenotypes and then analysis of genotypes by AGBU.  The wider industry will benefit greatly from this work as more phenotypes and genotypes are added.

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Mulesing of lambs ceased in 2018.